different between polygamist vs polygamy

English

Etymology

polygamy +? -ist

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /p??l???m?st/

Noun

polygamist (plural polygamists)

1. One who practices polygamy, or maintains that it is lawful.

Hypernyms

• wedder

Translations

References

• polygamist in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913.

English

Etymology

Recorded since 1591, from Late Latin polygamia, from Ancient Greek ????????? (polugamía), itself from ????????? (polúgamos, “married to many”), from ????? (polús, “many”) + ????? (gámos, “marriage”). Relates to modern prefix and suffix poly- +? -gamy.

Pronunciation

• Hyphenation: po?ly?ga?my
• IPA^(key): /p??l???mi/

Noun

polygamy (countable and uncountable, plural polygamies)

1. The condition of having more than one spouse or marriage partner at one time.

   Are there countries where polygamy is legal for both men and women?
2. (often, especially in common use) Synonym of polygyny (“marriage of a man to more than one wife, the practice of having several wives at the same time”)

   Though Islam allows polygamy, it is frowned upon in many contemporary Muslim societies.

   • 1991, Kathryn M Daynes, Plural wives and the nineteenth-century Mormon marriage system, page 16

     Because Mormon polygamy was an unusual family form in nineteenth-century America […]

3. (zoology) The state or habit of having more than one sexual mate.

   An insect queen actually practices polygamy only one day, while for an alpha-male defending his harem is the very essence of both his status and polygamy.

4. (botany) The condition or state of a plant which bears both perfect and unisexual flowers.

Antonyms

• monogamy
• (polygyny) polyandry

Hyponyms

• polygyny
• polyandry

Derived terms

Translations

See also

• concubine
• harem, seraglio